From Alison Lancaster, July 17, 1977

 

"Lyndale", Old Pool Bank, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Otley, LS21 3BY, West Yorkshire, England

Dear Dona,

Hi! Sorry I've taken so long to reply to your letter -- in fact I have only written one or two letters since Easter -- I've been hard put to get through all the work -- I had very little time for anything else -- and in spite of all that, I still managed to fail one of my courses -- an art history course where the assessment was completely based one exam -- can you imagine it? 6 months work all for a three hour examination? It's ridiculous -- apart from which I'm useless in exams -- I write down the most stupid things which I'd normally know were wrong, but I just go to pieces in an exam. So, I've failed. And it's a university accessed course, which means I have one chance to pass the re-take, and if I fail that, then they'll ask me to withdraw from college -- kick me out in other words! So, my re-take is in early September, so once again I'm studying like mad -- I refused to give in now! Ugh, do I make problems for myself!

Well I guess you're wondering why I'm still here in England when I am supposed to be over there in the US. Well, I'm afraid I failed there too -- I seem to be doing really well right now.

I got to know during the Easter vacation I wasn't going -- just a simple note saying they had a record number of applicants and they were very sorry but....etc. So I'm afraid I wasn't fit to speak to anyone for a while after tht -- after I'd been going round telling everyone I was going to America in the summer -- it's not fair. Somebody up there doesn't like me -- I'm sure!

Anyway I'm finally acting like a human being again (or as near as I can get!) and catching up on all my letters -- writing more apologies than then you've had hot dinners!

Woody has written (finally!) too by the way -- I guess he still thinks I'm somewhere over there too! Well, as soon as I've written yours-- I'll write to him -- I really have been rather unsociable just lately. someday I will get there though -- that's a promise (and a threat ☺).

Many thanks for the beermats -- how did you know I collect them? I'll search through mine before I send this off -- I should have a load of spares somewhere!

Well, as part of this art history course (that I've just failed ☹) we spent the final four days of term in London, looking 'round the main art galleries there. It's the very first time I'd ever been to our capitol city -- and wow! What an experience!

We saw the Queen, The Duke of Edinburg (It's Jubilee year so they were touring a little) and one man who is quite popular on TV over here -- Willie Rushton. I could have spent millions on some of the clothes there -- I spent far too much as it was -- I must've drunk gallons of Coke -- it was so hot!

The art galleries were out-of-this-world. I've never seen such fabulous paintings -- and on such a vast scale -- round about 10' by 15'. I should think -- I've never seen anything like it!

Well, we now have about 11 weeks of vacation before term begins again. I'm bored at home -- and I've already had 3 full-scale rows with my parents and I've only been home one week!

I'd much rather be where you are than where I am, but I've got plenty of work to keep me occupied. I've gotta pass this re0sit -- keep your fingers crossed for me, huh? I'm gonna need all the luck I can get!

Well, once again, very sorry for not writing for so long -- and if you don't hear from me again it probably means I failed the re-sit too!!!

No, I don't mean it -- I'm just feeling sorry for myself (all together now -- aaaah!!!) Right, I'll go and dig up some beer mats for you.

Keep well, wishing you sunshine,

Love,
Ali 

---

Note: I barely remember Alison. I came across some of her other letters but I may have tossed them. I don't think she ever did get to the states -- at least back at the time. Woody was a friend of mine and I connected Alison and Woody. Woody was head over heels in love with her -- not unusual for him. I have a photo of Alison around somewhere. 

I just looked up her address -- the house is still called "Lyndale" and is considered one of the better properties in the area. Pretty fancy, from what I can tell.

From Janet P September 13, 1977

 

10 Westfield Drive, Yeadon Leeds

Dear Dona,

Thanks for the card. The time seems to have flown past. Before we know where we are it will be our silver wedding.

I hope you had a good 8 weeks whilst Jeremy was over three. So far he has not stopped telling us about all the things you did.

What does it feel like to be 21? Can you vote now or is 18 your coming of age? Jeremy said everybody was asking about the keys on your cards from England. My mum told me a one time nobody got a key for the door until they were 21 but I have had mine since I was 14 and Neil has had his since he was about 9.

He will be 11 on the 20th of next month. He just seems to grow every time I see him and gets cheekier. He has started to play badminton now the tennis season has finished.

At the moment I am off work with a cold and getting lots of sympathy from Niky who is at the moment getting over his exams and keeping his fingers crossed for a pass of all three. I don't know if Jeremy told you but he failed one out of the three last time so he had to retake them all.

Will you be coming in June or July next year because we have had a really wet summer this year and the weather is now getting around to blue skies. No cloud and lots of sun but not too warm.

Anyway, how are you getting along at University? Are you living in? If so you had better send your address unless you are going home at weekends. I wouldn't blame you if you did. It must get a bit lonely when your fella is 3,000 miles away.

Jeremy has told us your plans to come over here the year after next to stay. Will you have to get a special work permit and things?

Anyway I will close for now and wait for Niky to come home from his last exam (economics) which at least he enjoys the subject.

Bye for now. 

Love,
Janet and Niky

---

Note: Niky and Janet never made it to their silver wedding anniversary -- they divorced sometime after 1980. I did not go to England the next summer, but went in December instead because I'd got into a semester abroad program where I did student teaching in a school in London. Jeremy and I broke up during that visit. I did not live at college, but commuted the 45 minutes to and from school two or three days a week.

Six Postcards from Cindy/Cynthia

Preface

Cindy and I were best friends in middle school. We spent every morning and afternoon together because she lived outside the school district where her dad worked as a teacher. His school was across town so he dropped her at our house in the mornings and picked her up in the afternoons. We were really close -- but didn't always get along. By our sophomore year in high school she'd found a new crowd and we didn't see a lot of each other after that. She called me once out of the blue when we were in our late twenties and said she felt bad that she used to make me angry at lunch just to have other people laugh at me. She knew what buttons to push. I wish she had not told me that because I didn't know that is what she was doing and it ruined my memories of our friendship a little.

We live in the same state and have made a decision to make this year the year we finally get together again.

Florida: December 25, 1971

Hi Dona!! Merry Xmas and Happy New Year!!

I got your GREAT letter and was happy to hear from you!! I thought this card would warm you up!!! 

(2 hours later)

I just got done picking 6 bushels of grapefruit!! with my dad and grandma, and my mom carrying them, my dad and I were in the tree (sorry to disappoint you but grapefruits don't grow in bushes Dona), handing them down to my grandma!! Am having fun!! I have SOO much to tell you about Disney World, etc. That I MIGHT send a tape before I forget everything!! We also have slides too!! Till then say hi to Kevin and all. ☮

Love,

Cindy

P.S. You can read this to them

Notes

1. I was 15, Cindy was 14
2. I'd never been to Florida and it was not in my future. I wonder if I was jealous that Cindy went.
3. I don't remember thinking that grapefruit grew on trees or telling Cindy that's where I thought they grew

Texas: April 8, 1972

Hi! Sorry this is so late but have been so busy!!

We have gone swimming, sunning, sightseeing, buying, etc.!!

We all have good tans, and burns!! We have camped in a place with nothing but sand dunes and water!! That's the life!! We went to Mexico yesterday and splurged!! Scott a guitar, I got clothes, and mom got a beautiful knitted poncho!!

Quite a place!! Must do more sunning now so see ya soon, 

Cindy

Notes

1. I was 15, Cindy was 14
2. Her dad was a teacher, so this must have been spring break
3. I remember the days when skin cancer was not a thing we thought about

Texas: Eastertime 1973

¡Hola! 

¿Que pasa? Mucho aquí! No hablo mucho español todavía!

We have gone down to the beach a lot!! Walking and making sand castles and beachcombing. Don´t have much of a tan yet, Brett does, we are on an island, we took a Ferry boat over to here. We are going to [the] southern tip of Texas and Mexico tomorrow and stay there at a motel with a pool! till Saturday, then coming home. We stayed in motels all the way here and now we rented a mobile home for 3 days, about 2 blocks from the ocean! Sooo, so far been having fun. I hope you have a fun vacation. 

Happy Easter!

Su amiga,

Candida

Notes

1. I was 16, Cindy was 15
2. I don't remember the Jordans traveling so much. 
3. I don't know who Brett was
4. We took Spanish 101 together and her classroom name was Candida. Mine was Doña. (The next year I changed it to Sara)

Lubec, Maine: August 24, 1973

Hola Doña! ¿Como está usted?

I have written before letters and have not finished them for one reason or the other, so I figured that if I wrote a postcard I would finish it. I feel very guilty! Sorry! Thanks so much for your letters! I (we) enjoyed them. I will tell you all the best news! Brett has chicken pox. I have a cold. We are all very happy. I have met so many great people this summer that I hate to leave! This has been a special summer for me somehow! Nothing special, (in a way) has happened. I just feel happy. I have become a vegetarian. This time for good. Most of the people I have met are vegetarians. Hope your summer has been this great for you!! We have had two people here this summer. And now we have our very good friends who we haven't really seen in 9 years from Salt Lake City. We are really having fun! I promise to write soon. 

Love, Cynthia. 💮⛅💮⛅💮

PS I'm not getting an activity ticket
Say hi to your grandmother for me!

Notes

1. I had just turned 17, Cynthia was 15
2. I was spending the summer with my grandma after the death of my grandfather
3. I still do not remember Brett, but it seems he was Cynthia's boyfriend
4. I'd been invited to go to Lubec, where the Jordans spent every summer in their summer house but never went -- not even for Cynthia's wedding.

Lubec, Maine: August 8, 1974

Dear Sis!

How are things? Do you miss work yet? I'm so happy here that I don't ever want to budge! I've seen most of my friends already. Boy it was great to see everyone! We went on a picnic last night and are going on a bigger one tonight! The dentist said no cavities! The air is so clean, the sea is so clear! the sun is so bright and the moon is so full!!

Brett and I rode the minibike up to the lighthouse and Scott and Jeff rode the station wagon behind us yesterday. Scott and I taught Brett how to ride a bike today. He was having trouble till we told him to run over Jeff who was sitting where I am now, on the grass writing a letter. Brett started peddling and almost ran over Jeff and went to the edge of the grass toward the ocean!!

Jeff and Brett are beachcombing on our beach now and I think I'm gonna join them! 

Take it easy Dona and write soon, don't be like someone else I know!!

Love,

Cindy

Boy what a scattered collection of thoughts I've written.

Notes

1. I was 17, but almost 18, Cindy was 16
2. Now it seems that Brett is a child. I do remember Cindy talking about a friend's child -- maybe it was Brett? But who is Jeff?
3. Cindy had graduated from high school this year -- her parents were going on sabbatical to Spain and she wanted to go along.
4. This was the year of the British exchange. She didn't go to England, but hosted a student.
5. I'd only just gotten back from England.

Rabat, Morocco: March 23, 1975

Palm Sunday, 10:30 at hotel in Rabat, Morocco ★ capitol of Morocco -- Language is French

Dear Dona,

We took a ferry from Algeciras, Spain to Ceuta, N. Africa Friday morning we drove via Tetuán to Fez and spent the night there and then saw the medina (old market) the 4 parts of Fez, around to the 5 mosques in Fez where the Muslims pray 5 times a when the flag is flying. We saw this palace where the King Hassan stops when in town and we saw the tannery where the skins are dyed in huge clay vats with boys up their thighs in dye (phew!). We had couscous (vegetarian) with our friendly Moroccan guide. This is Morocco's famous wheat (like small rice) with vegetable sauce consisting mostly of carrots and turnips and maybe lamb and a hot sauce on top and kebobs eaten all with our hands (forming balls of couscous with one hand). We were very sanitary having our hands rinsed under hot water from a gold teapot into a gold bowl and then washed again with soap afte the meal.

Going to Casablanca tomorrow. We're now in Rabat, and we want to be in Málaga for the semana santa parades Thursday and Friday.

Thank you so much, Dona, for the book! You don't know how happy I was to open it!!

I will write again soon! My trip to England was so short and sweet. I am looking forward to traveling again maybe in May!

Miss you mucho sis! 

Love, 

Cindy

PS Hi from Morocco to everyone at school. Share this with a few, it's impossible to write to all. Hi, especially to family.

Notes

1. I don't remember receiving this postcard -- maybe because it was impossible to read or understand with out prior knowledge. 
2. I must have been somewhat important to her since she was writing to me and not some others

From Janet P March 25, 1977

 

10 Westfield Drive, Yeadon

Dear Dona,

I am so sorry to have taken so long in replying to your letter but I should tell you that I cannot reply to that as I lost it somewhere about the house.

I hope you are keeping well and I suppose counting the days to when Jerby arrives in the U.S.

We went to June and Grahams baby's christening last Sunday and in the evening we went to an American Pizza bar with Ian and Denise. We had a really good evening even though we did eat too much but since we got married we don't go out too often so we made the most of it. On Saturday night we went to Lorraine's Grahame's 21st party and had quite an interesting time. Don't get me wrong by the way, when I say that we don't go out often. We enjoy staying in our own home just watching TV or listening to records. 

I don't know if Jeremy told you but about 8 weeks ago I was moved to another branch of the bank. I went to the one in Town Street of Horsforth. I still have not got used to the change and miss all my friends but we still meet about every month and go out for drinks.

We have been spending quite a lot of money on the house and have covered the kitchen floor. We bought a new washer and have fitted all units. 

At the moment on TV they are showing the film Planet of the Apes with Charlton Heston so Niky is quite enthralled and it is hard to get him to answer anything I say. I just get the occasional grunt and groan.

Niky's mum and dad have just called on their way to some friend's. They came to see our new floor covering in the kitchen. Pat has to go in the hospital in about 6 months for some operations so she will be off work for about 3 months feeling pretty grotty. So I expect I will have two homes and a job to do so by the time she is well I will probably need 3 months off work to get my strength back. 

Anyway I thin I had better finish as I still have the tea pots to wash up. 

Anyway hope to hear from you soon. Niky sends his love.

Love,

Janet

From Janet P November 14, 1976

 

10 Westfield Drive, Yeadon

Dear Dona,

Thanks for your letter. I don't know why you should apologize for not writing because it was sheer laziness on my part for not doing it first.

You ask if we are all right and enjoy being married, well we are both in the best of health, but dieting like mad because we have made pigs of ourselves and put on rather a lot of weight. The trouble is Niky loses weight quite easily when he tries but I lose about a pound a week and that is after a week of starving myself. As for marriage I love every minute. I even enjoy the washing and ironing.

The Lake District was boring. We got rather fed up so we were quite pleased to get home on the Wednesday.

As for Edinburgh we enjoyed it immensely but I think with a nut like Denise you could enjoy yourself everywhere.

I have not seen Lorraine for about 5 weeks so I have no idea if she is still seeing Graham but the last time I saw her they were still arguing. Did you know that they finished with each other at the wedding but they saw each other a few days later and got back together so they ended up going to Bridlington for a naughty weekend.

On the Sunday night of the honeymoon we decided to ring Niky's mum and they informed us we had taken the key but were sure we had given it to someone back at the reception. Anyway when we got back we said that we had definately not got the key so we suggested that Mum should look in her handbag. And guess what one for 17 Airedale Drive slipped down the wallet of her handbag. So Jeremy wen through the windows for nothing.

If I were you I would play the recording. I don't think you will cry if anything it should give you a good laugh.

Anyway I will have to finish off now oh and I thank you for taking part in the wedding and the photographs are really beautiful.

Love,

Janet

PS Niky sends his love

From Janet P May 27, 1976

 

6 Craggwood Terrace, Horsforth

Dear Dona,

I thought I had better write back now I have the time instead of putting off and not getting another chance. I have hardly seen Niky this week. I went to a hen party on Tuesday night and on Wednesday he was trying to get the car to go so he did not arrive until late and then he did no know what was wrong with it so he is not coming until late tonight.

I hope your exams went O.K. I was terrible in exams. I just went to pieces. I suppose that is why I don't want to take my bankers exams and become a bank manager.

My fiend Susan from work is getting married on Saturday. I have never seen anything like it for weeks she just was not bothered on Monday she was a nervous wreck on Tuesday she wasn't much better. She cheered up on Tuesday night when she had lots of drinks bought but was poorly on Wednesday morning and then to top it all started crying at lunchtime and couldn't stop. She wasn't too bad today. The trouble is she is really close to her parents and doesn't like any change at all not even holidays so I suppose when it comes to moving away from home she just cannot adjust to it. I wouldn't mind but her new home is only a two minute walk from her mother's. My new house is a twenty minute bus ride and I am close to my parents as well so I just hope that I don't get as upset as her but she really has frightened me.

I'm not trying to get rid of you but what date do you go back home after the wedding. The reason I am asking is I just wondered if you would be going home before we get back from honeymoon. It's just that I thought it would be a shame to not see you again after the wedding as it will be so hectic knowing me I'll forget to say anything. anyway Neil wants to write something.

Neil: Thank you because you are bringing me a bicentennial silver dollar.

I think Neil is looking forward to you arriving as much as Jerb. He said he would only go to the wedding if he could sit between you and Jerb at the reception so you are highly honored. I don't know if you suit hats because you might be wearing them at the wedding. I haven't decided.

Well I will have to finish as I am trying to write to you and watch Emergency at the same time, so if I have written loads of rubbish blame the TV set.

Love,

Janet

P.S. Have they started to show Jennie yet over there with Lee Remick? If they have do you like it because we thought it was great.

From Janet P May 10, 1976

 

6 Craggwood Terrace, Horsforth

Dear Dona,

I don't know if you received my last letter but it really doesn't matter. 

I have got your bridesmaid dresses so I hope you don't put on any weight for a while. I don't know if I told you that I had decided to not wear Niky's mum's wedding dress and I have hired a really beautiful dress. It is medieval style. Crepe and edged with guipure lace.

Well enough of dresses it's only about eight weeks until you arrive over here, Jeremy's beard looks super but his moustache is like Niky's, so blond you can hardly see it. The weather at the moment is really weird. We are short of water, but this week it has rained, thundered and lightninged and been sunny and hot.

We got the keys to our house at the beginning of April, but I had flu for two weeks over Easter so we are really getting into the swing of things now but they have left things in a terrible mess and as for color scheme, they left us a hall and stair carpet which is blue and purple and they had the walls painted orange a really deep color and the paint work the most gruesome blue not a bit like the blue in the carpet.

Ah well, when you arrive you will probably be roped into a bit of painting and wallpapering so come prepared.

How is your job? Will they be able to keep it open for you when you come over?

Anyway I will have to close and go shopping for my mum.

Give my regards to everybody and if I don't get a chance to write again I'll see you in eight weeks.

Love,

Janet and Niky

And hello from Neil (PS Written by Neil)

From Janet P January 6, 1976

 

6 Craggwood Terrace, Horsforth

Dear Dona,

Happy New Year. I hope you are well and I'm sorry to be so long in replying to your last letter. I don't think in the last month I have spent one evening at home.

Well the wedding arrangements are well on the way. We have to see the vicar on Friday and the reception is booked. 

I might be wearing Niky's mum's wedding dress if it fits alright but it is a bit short so we are having it specially cleaned then we'll see what it looks like.

When we rang you on New Year's Eve I could hardly talk as for the past two days I could not talk and as I was trying to serve customers I could not even ask how they wanted their money. Anyway it was nice to talk to you. 

Can you tell me how you are and your dress size, as I think I might have the bridesmaid dresses made as they tend to be rather expensive to buy. So I think that I will look around for a pattern and material then when you arrive over here rush you to the dressmakers. By the way do you mind blue, as I think that will be the color you both will be in.

How is your job? Jeremy said that you might be getting laid off because of financial difficulty. I hope everything works out OK. 

Niky has still had no luck. We are just keeping our fingers crossed that we have a bit of luck before we get married.

I hope you got lots of lovely pressies for Xmas. We got quite a few things for our bottom drawer. Glasses and things.

Upstairs Downstairs finished the final series last week. I felt a bit sad but I didn't really enjoy the more recent episodes as the costumes were so dreary and seemed to ruin the whole program. Although Georgina finally got married and I must admit her dress was really beautiful.

Anyway I will have to close as I really will have to have an early night. It takes me ages to get up to go to work and the mornings are so cold now winter had arrived. By the way, did Jeremy tell you about the hurricane we had Friday night? It killed 22 people and wrecked and flooded lots of people's homes on the coastline.

Anyway bye for now.

Lots of Love,

Janet and Niky

From Janet P March 12, 1975

 

6 Craggwood Terrace, Horsforth

Dear Dona

Hi, your letter arrived on Monday and today is the first chance I have had to reply.

At the moment I am sat watching TV as I was ill during the night and did not get much sleep so Mum told me not to go into work.

You say in your letter that you should have an early spring. Well I think it came to us instead. The weather lately has been better than it was in summer.

When we go on holiday we go about the 7th September for 10 days. We are staying at a fishing village called Catholica, hopefully we will be able to go to Rome. I would also like to go to Venice. A friend of mine says it really is fantastic. 

In your letter you mention some land your Dad has bought. Is it trust land? Or is there a house?

Do you have to take exams to graduate? Or is it when you get to a certain leaving age? You say you are going to college. Will it be near your home? What do you want to teach? 

When I think about it I really don't know much about you, what sorts of books you read, what films you see, what music you care to listen to. I do quite a lot of reading, and buy lots of magazines. I have a mixture of tastes. I like most historical novel fiction or non-fiction.. I love Agatha Christie's mysteries. I have also read a couple of Jackie Suzanne books and they were good. 

Niky and I go to the pictures quite a lot. We have completely different tastes so we take it in turns to decide what we go see. I like corny things like musicals and love stories. Niky likes car chases. We went to see a James Bond film and during a car chase one of the cars went up in the air and turned 360° completely. Trouble is Niky likes to drive the same in the films and I dread driving back home. The actors and actresses that I like are Ben Murphy, Dustin Hoffman, Roger Davies. I think Barbara Streisand is great. Did you see Paper Moon? Tatum O'Neil was really good. I also like Faye Dunaway . I think of all the greats are Marilyn Monroe. I really loved her. And Gene Kelly is fabulous. 

My taste in music is pretty wide, Simon & Garfunkel, John Denver, Carpenters, Elton John, E.L.P., Neil Sedaka, and the Beatles. Niky's idol was Jimi Hendrix. He really worshiped him.

At the moment I am learning to drive. I get really nervous but I want to learn before I get much older and also the price of lessons is getting really high. Jeremy said that it is a lesson at school for you. I think that they should introduce that over here as well. Although the age for driving is 17 and the school leaving age is 16.

When you said I had a quiet and soft voice Niky's life has been murder. I have always thought I had a high pitched croak.

Ah well I had better finish off and get dressed. Give my love to Sue and all your family. Niky, Neil, and Matthew send their love.

Love,

Janet

From Janet P March 1, 1975

 

6 Craggwood Terrace, Horsforth

Dear Dona,

Thanks for your letter and I am sorry I have left it so long for the reply. 

Jeremy tells me that you have been snowed in. Up to now we have not had any deep snow, what snow we have had has washed away.

In your letter you ask about my family. Well my Mum and Dad have been married 28 years. I have two brothers, Robert and Neil and one sister.

Robert is just 27 and has been married for 5 years in September. They have no children yet but I suppose there is plenty of time yet. My sister Alison was 25 on St. Valentine's Day she has been married 5 years in November they have a little boy called Matthew who is 3½ (if you remember I think you met Matthew in the Park the day after you arrived at the Horsforth Gala). She is having another baby in June. Then there is Neil who you know he is the "baby" of the family and is spoilt rotten. You ask if I get on with him. Well some days I do and some days I don't. 

I met Niky through my best friend (she went out with him before me). We both went to Benton Park so that helped. I have been going out with him for 3 years and we have been engaged for 1 year. 

About marriage being so close doesn't really scare me. I just wish we could afford a house as the prices are going up and up and our wedding day is getting further and further away.

I doubt if Jeremy will have told you but Niky finally got a job. He left college at the end of November and he eventually started work on the 24th of February so we can't start saving seriously for a house.

I'm sorry I addressed your letter wrong and I'm not offended I'm glad that you told me.

Niky is not really bothered about the way you spell his name. People spell it that many different ways. He has got used to it. 

What do you mean about in interesting voice? Do you mean me or all Yorkshire people?

Will you be going anywhere for your Holidays this year? Niky and I are going to Italy. 

I don't really know much about your family either so when you write back you will have to tell me about them. Is it true you only met Jeremy 3 days before he cam back home?

Anyway I had better close as Niky wants to go to the motor accessory shop for something for the car.

Give my love to Sue and I hope that you and your family are well.

Love,

Janet

From Janet P January 25, 1975

 

Dear Dona,

Thanks very much for the birthday card. You will be pleased to know that it arrived on time.

Jeremy has been asking me to write for weeks so I will put his mind to rest. Nicky and I also think it is super fantastic news that he is coming to you. We will be getting rid of him for a few weeks.

Actually I think it will put his moping away for a few months. 

He really is lucky. I would love to go to America but as it costs rather a lot of money and all my money goes on clothes or on things for "married life". 

We hope to get married next year either late may or early September so start saving to come.

We were all pleased when you rang up on New Years Day even though we weren't there to talk or listen to you. Anyway I hope that you and all your family are well and give my love to Sue. 

By the way. It was my eighteenth birthday. Neil sends his love. I'm sorry the letter is so short and untidy. I will try harder to improve my writing. It really is shocking. Anyway write soon.

Love,

Janet and Niky